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Poole ignites the light for 25 years

For 25 years Kevin Poole has been an integral part of the annual Grand Bend July 1st fireworks display. He will now take a back seat to the event- but will liaison with the new company for the 2018 display.

Poole came to Grand Bend in 1990 with his late wife Sandi and opened Between the Lines at the bottom of the strip across from the Surf Shop.

“It didn't take long for Nick Carter owner of the Surf Shop and I to strike up a friendship,” said Poole adding Carter was a dedicated member of the Chamber of Commerce and had been involved with Canada Day festivities with a particular interest in the fireworks for some years previously.

“At that time Genie Grenier was the lead pyro and hearing their stories got me fired right up. In the spring of 1992 Nick and I went to Toronto and got our Display Supervisor certification simply by sitting through a one day seminar. These days it's no where near that simple.”

Poole says in the early years, just as now, the biggest struggle with Canada Day Celebrations has been raising money.

“We had the backing of the Chamber when Nick was president but for years after the event operated as a free standing, independent committee, sometimes with as many as 10 members, too often with just one or two. I sat on the committee for most of those years and have acted as an adviser for the past three or four. More recently the committee was adopted by municipal council when insurance issues came up.”

As to why he got involved, Poole said when he came to Grand Bend to fulfill his dream of owning his own business and living at the beach he was immediately impressed with the contagious enthusiasm the local businesses have for promoting their community.

“My passion for fireworks became my contribution. I've continued to support this place, where I always feel at home, though life has changed and I now live inland. In 2002 Sandi lost her life in the lake. Through that difficult time I met and fell in love with Diane Van Alstyne who brought with her her own passion for fireworks (she and her sister considered themselves groupies) along with four teenage children that we raised in Glencoe. The family blended nicely and not only Diane but her sister, nephew, son and son-in-law eventually joined the long-timers, so many helpers I can't name them all, as permanent crew members. We've made a great family a great pyro team for 14 years now.”

As well as Poole, Diane and her sister Lisa Van Alstyne are also retiring. Diane is the master of the firing board having shot every Canada Day show since they upgraded from hand firing on the beach to electronic firing on the pier. “Lisa is our finale queen, tackling the sometimes tedious job of fusing it all together, with a perfectionists eye.”

As the years go by, Poole said the job, although satisfying is also grueling.

“Setting up and tearing down is very physically demanding. The hours are long, this Canada Day there were six of us on the pier from 9:00 am until nearly 2:00 in the morning. Let's face it, we're not getting any younger, some years we've had up to 17 shows in a season. That's a lot of summer weekends spent in open fields, beside dragstrips, hiding in bushes at weddings and watching the wind and the weather constantly. It's time for us to hit the road with our little trailer, explore the highways and byways and sell books.”

They will pass the torch to the younger generation, people they have trained combined with ones that they trust. K&H Fireworks out of Windsor, full-time fireworks professionals who have been their supplier and advisers for many years will be putting their name to the show (pending formal committee approval).

“They have an extensive selection of product and the state of the art technology to show it at it's best. They have staff dedicated to completing the mountains of paperwork I've always taken care of along with highly experienced designers and skilled crew to compliment our well trained nephew Josh Van Alstyne, son-in-law Paul Hawco and our newbie Scott Raymond. Our son Rob McLean moved west a few years back and is now a member of the K&H Canada Day crew in Jasper, Alberta.

“Will 2018 be the best show ever?” Poole asks rhetorically. Because people says each show is better than the last, 2018 will shine because it will be fresh and perhaps a bigger budget than the $30,000 budget they enjoyed this year.

“Over the years the fireworks budget has steadily increased due to the fund raising efforts of the committee and the generosity of each sponsor and donor. Sadly some years it was just enough to cover the increased cost of the product. This years budget was exceptional, there was extra grant money available for the Canada 150 celebration on top of donations, and the committee decided to divert funds originally slated for the music to the fireworks in order to beef up the show. Sadly we also saw the prices go up dramatically due to the exchange rate. But this year I think we proved what we've always told our customers, 'if you want a better show, give us a bigger budget.' So keep those donations coming! Or, become a sponsor by lending your barge, now that would kick it up a notch!”

In 2018 Kevin and Diane will be in the Bend. They have committed to acting as liaison with the mired of officials; the municipality, the bylaw officials, the marina, the OPP and ensure a smooth transition over to K&H.

“And perhaps we'll watch the fireworks with our grandchildren, something we've never done. But don't be surprised if come show time we're back out on that pier watching the show from that privileged pyro point of view.”